At the beginning of yoga classes, there are three OMs and I chant in Sanskrit. You are welcome to join me or hum or just listen. I thought I'd write out the words here and translate them for you.
Asato Ma Sat Gamaya
Tamaso Ma Jotir Gamaya
Mrytyor Ma Ambritam Gamaya
Shanti Shanti Shanti Om
Each of the first three lines end in "Gamaya" and include a "Ma." This combination means, "Lead me." So the first line means, "Lead me from the unreal (Asato) to the real (Sat). The second line means, "Lead me from the shadows (Tamaso) to the light (Jotir). Finally, "Lead me from death (Mryityor) to immortality (Ambritam)." Shanti means peace. Om is the universal vibration.
When I first practiced yoga under the care of Jason Brown in Williamsburg, New York, he would chant this to start the classes. Its sounded exotic and strange to me and seemed to mark his commitment to an ancient practice. Later, after I had moved away from the city, the chant echoed in my heart. On long road trips, I remember chanting it with tears in my eyes. It was a ritual that marked the practice of yoga: the beginning of each class and the beginning of yoga for me. Thus when I began teaching (in 2006), I almost always began classes this way.
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